McAfee announces Bletchley Park partnership

McAfee has announced a five-year partnership with the Bletchley Park Trust to run security exhibitions and educational programmes in its refurbished Block C.

Digital security specialist McAfee - the Intel subsidiary, not its somewhat colourful eponymous founder - has announced a partnership with the Bletchley Park Trust to help with preservation and restoration of the historical site.

Home to the National Museum of Computing as well as its own historical exhibits relating to the site's use as a code-breaking centre during World War Two, Bletchley Park is currently working to restore one of its historical blocks and turn it into a modern visitor centre. Doing so requires cash, naturally, and that's in short supply - but McAfee has stepped forward to announce it's pitching in.

The company, which was acquired by Intel in 2010, has agreed a five-year partnership with the charitable Bletchley Park Trust which will see McAfee sponsor an international Cyber Security Exhibition as well as fund a Computer Learning Zone located in the soon-to-be-refurbished Block C of the site. Workshops to teach visitors about digital security, for adults and children alike, are to be run at the Learning Zone, as well as tying in to the story of the Bletchley park Codebreakers themselves.

The learning materials are to be supported by McAfee's Online Safety for Kids programme, with company staff volunteering to teach safety courses for schools, children and parents, as well as providing an Online Safety Education Officer who will offer learning strategies, advice and training for educators. That role, interestingly, has yet to be filled, with the Trust advertising the post with a salary of £25,000-£30,000.

'The Codebreakers at Bletchley Park during World War Two battled against the very real threat of invasion,' said Sir John Scarlett KCMG OBE, Bletchley Park Trust chair, at the announcement. 'Today, when we live so much of our lives online, it is vital to understand how best to remain safe in the digital world. Our strategic partnership with McAfee is a fitting tribute to the pioneering men and women who helped to shorten World War Two.'

Originally Posted by LocknloadLets hope they single out suitable praise and stature for the genius of Alan Turing.

Bullied and ridiculed by Whitehall Numpties for his homosexuality.

When our nations back was against the wall, Turing's genius was instrumental in securing our freedom,
sadly, freedom that we know longer enjoy today in Britain.

You have to remember it was different times back then, sadly laws often change slower than the society they govern. As show by homosexuality still being illegal up until 1967 and the crazy slavery laws, that i think meant until 1998 it was still legal to own a slave in the UK :(

It will probably take just as long for laws to be passed to protect peoples freedoms in the online world.

Originally Posted by NexxoSometimes I wish that for only one minute they could have shared Turing's intelligence. Just so they could have understood how big Turing's life has been, and how small they made their own.

Originally Posted by JimbobWent to Bletchly in the summer. Left so disappointed, they seriously need more funding.

I went in a group with a tour guide, I highly recommend having one if you can, it makes the day MUCH better. They're incredibly knowledgeable and tell a great story of the site and all the things that used to go on.